NYX Love in Rio Eye Shadow Palette in Cabana Boy

I obviously have a thing for eyeshadow palettes (cue is in few posts prior to this one) but I have to say that every other mono, duo, trio, quad or a full palette is having a hard time besides my Urban Decay ‘naked’ palettes – those are stealing the spotlight big time so it’s rather interesting to see if any other offering would be able to claim its rightful spot. NYX as a brand always lured me in with their blushes (cream & powder & baked), lip butters, jumbo pencils, lipsticks etc. – eyeshadows weren’t the first thing I’d purchase on top of my head as I’ve seen different shades providing different color payoff. As I’m not a seasoned NYX eyeshadow fiend, I had no idea whether I’d try them out or not – fast forward a few weeks from that situation and I really am having second thoughts on what I should actually include in a little NYX haul I’m planning on doing. I think that there will be at least a similar palette because NYX Love in Rio Eyeshadow Palette in Cabana Boy is such a beautiful, travel-friendly find!

As I was completely swept off my feet with the NYX Baked Blush packaging and the little bow – I’m having a deja vu right now. I think that it isn’t easy for drugstore brands to make a packaging desirable while on a budget. It’s always a matter of taste but that simple, black box with the cute tiny bow is exactly how you amp-up a simple packaging. Love it! You’ll probably guess that I’m not using the two-sided spongey applicator as I never use them but on the positive note – this palette is already so tiny and compact that I feel like the applicator isn’t making it bulky at all. Love in Rio palette features three eyeshadows in complimenting hues. Cabana Boy is a mix of warmer caramel/chocolatey neutrals. You have the gold shimmery pot which makes me think of pressed L’Oreal mono eyeshadows as its creamy to the touch but the shimmer is quite noticeable yet well blended with the gold pigment. In the middle you have a medium brown, deep golden shadow which is just shot through with slight shimmer and at the end, you have a matte, shimmer-free chocolate brown.

Regarding the texture, they’re not as buttery as Urban Decay eyeshadows but they’re not stiff or hard either. I’d say that they’re somewhere in the middle. Pigmentation is really decent, as you’ll see on my swtaches. Colors aren’t punchy or vibrant, they’re quite demure and sophisticated looking. The thing with NYX eyeshadows is that a primer makes a whole world of a difference – case in point, the make-up look I created. Just look at how intense, pigmented and beautiful all the hues look on my lids! Ten times better than swtached without a primer underneath. Since I’ve made a habit of applying primer under any eyeshadow, that doesn’t bother me per se but it’s something to take into consideration. Longevity is quite solid, primer sticks these babies on for at least 8h but you’ll notice some fading around the 4h-5h mark if you’re not wearing a primer. Shimmer does transfer a bit but it’s nothing major and these eyshadows don’t crease. I love that NYX Cosmetics is animal friendly and these eyeshadows are gentle towards the skin as you don’t need to rub your eyes to remove them. For $6 I honestly think you do get your money’s worth. Have you tried Cabana Boy or any other NYX eyeshadows? Which palette would you recommend for me to buy when I’ll be on my shopping spree?